Archive for January, 2008

Happy New Years! It’s a time of resolutions, getting in shape, and looking forward to all of the great comics on the way. So in honor of the new year, I thought it would be appropriate to talk with Arcana’s head honcho, Sean O’Reilly, and get the lowdown on what to expect in 2008! So without further ado…

Sean O’Reilly Interview

Sean O’Reilly is the owner and operator of Arcana, which began in 2004 as a studio creating comics and began the hard and dangerous road of self-publishing. Four years later through Sean’s work establishing great relationships with Diamond, various printers, and other various clients, Arcana has established itself as a quality publisher for comic books and graphic novels. In addition, Sean is the mastermind behind Arcana’s flagship hero, Kade, as well as Ezra and Clockwork Girl.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Sean regarding Arcana’s 2008 outlook.

MP: Before we get into the new year, what were the highs and lows for Arcana in ’07?

SO: My personal high this year was Clockwork Girl (and Kiefer!). Great book, great series and it was awesome to see an all ages title do well; I’m really excited about this property and what’s happening with the WIP of Arcana Kids. As well partnering with Platinum has been great and I’m sure the best is yet to come. Lows – how often do people say this, I honestly can’t think of any (or if any happened I managed to move on quickly and focus on the goods).

MP: What releases can we look forward to from Arcana in ’08?

SO: A new series BURN, The Network, Penance: Trial of the Century, Kagagi, Ripped, Corrective Measures, Kade: Rising Sun, WendiGoGo, Ralph Filmore, The Greatest American Hero and more!

MP: This years sees the first hardcover collection from Arcana with Kade: Sun of Perdition collection which is a departure from the Manga size tpbs Arcana usually releases. Will we see more hardcovers from Arcana? If so, will you collect some oders series in this format?

SO: Yes more hardcovers will be coming and we are going to be doing some olders series in this format including Gearhead, DMTNT, Grunts, and Dragon’s Lair. As well we have a book publishing deal with Simon & Shuster for 100 Girls so be sure to keep an eye out for that.

MP: Last year saw the separation of Arcana between the studio and comic publishing. Can you give us an update on how the studio part is doing?

SO: We’ve done an animated series with Spike TV, lots of vendor work for Disney, a couple projects at Upper Deck and we are planning on doing a lot more work in ’08.

MP: Gearhead was optioned last year. How are things going with it? Do you think we’ll see more Arcana properties optioned this year?

SO: A screenplay is being worked on and it’s going really well. We have a co-development deal we’ve been working on and there were a couple more options… I prefer the “less talk” and “more action” approach since most options tend to drag on a bit.

MP: You posted a Kade CG animated trailer on the Arcana forum last month. Is that a prelude of things to come? Will Kade be crossing over into video games and/or animated movies soon?

SO: I hope so… we’re pushing in two fronts so we’ll see where this ends up.

Eve: Vampire Diva Joins Forces With Zombina

First it was Koni Waves and ADEMA. Now, Eve: Vampire Diva is teaming up with Liverpool punk band sensation, Zombina and the Skeletones. The band has loaned their song, “Nobody Likes You When You’re Dead,” to promote the new Arcana comics series, Eve: Vampire Diva in a pulse pounding trailer!

by Keith Giffen, Shannon Eric Denton, and Matt Jacobs – Grunts is a war comic hopped up on super-charged adrenaline, the story of some American soldiers who had a nasty close encounter with the Germans’ enjoyment for using weird science and the occult!

SC, 100 pages, FC $14.95

Clockwork Girl #4

by Sean O’Reilly, Kevin Hanna, and Grant Bond

A nameless robot girl has recently been given the gift of life from her creator, while exploring the wonders of an ordinary world she meets an amazing mutant boy and they share a friendship that must overcome their warring families!

32 pgs, FC (4 of 4) $1.99

Eve: Vampire Diva #4

by Frank J Laperch and Ash Jackson

Eve, the vampire warrior, must stop Barbie Moore’s new single from setting off a supernatural war, but it’s Eve the pop star who must do the dirty work! If Eve survives the potential Armageddon, she must face an even more frightful fate – the debut of her reality show!

32 pages, FC (4 of 4) $3.95

Well that’s all for this month. I will catch up with you in February for all of the latest Arcana Comics news!